Hockey India League returns with 35-day window, 8 men's and 6 women's teams

Hockey India League returns after a 7-year break, featuring revamped men's and women's tournaments. With an exclusive window granted by FIH, the league aims to nurture Indian talent and boost international competition starting December 28.

In Short

• HIL was announced to return with 8 men’s and 6 women’s teams
• A 35-day exclusive window was provided by FIH for HIL
• Each franchise was allowed a 24-player squad through an auction

Hockey India League (HIL) is set to return after a 7-year hiatus, with a new structure and even the historic inclusion of 6 women's teams in the competition. Hockey India president, Dilip Tirkey, confirmed that the return of the league under its new face is aimed at enhancing the competition. During a special event on October 4, it was announced that the league would commence from December 28 to February 5, within an exclusive window provided by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The 2024 edition will feature 8 men's teams competing at the Jharkhand and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, while 6 women’s teams will play at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. Franchise owners from regions like Punjab, Haryana, and New Delhi will participate in a players' auction from October 13-15 in New Delhi, where they will finalize their squads for the upcoming season.

Exclusive window from FIH

Tirkey, confirmed that FIH has allocated a 35-day exclusive window, recognising the league's significance on the international hockey calendar. This is a significant move since the league had been dormant due to financial issues since its last edition in 2017, which only featured men’s teams and was held in a home-and-away format.

Teams to participate

• Men's Teams: Chennai, Lucknow, Punjab, Kolkata, Delhi, Odisha, Hyderabad and Ranchi
• Women's Teams: Haryana, Kolkata, Delhi, Odisha and two more teams which are to be announced soon.

List of Men’s Franchises and their Owners

1. Chennai – Charles Group

2. Lucknow – Yadu Sports

3. Punjab – JSW Sports

4. West Bengal – Shrachi Sports

5. Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment

6. Odisha – Vedanta Limited

7. Hyderabad – Resolute Sports

8. Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

List of Women’s Franchises and their Owners

1. Haryana – JSW Sports

2. West Bengal – Shrachi Sports

3. Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment 4. Odisha - Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

HIL 2024 updates rules

• Each franchise will need to build a 24-player squad during the auction.
• Each squad must comprise 16 Indian players (with at least four juniors) and 8 international players.
• The players will be divided into three price slabs: Rs 2 lakhs, Rs 5 lakhs, and Rs 10 lakhs, for both men and women. This structure aims to nurture local talent while adding international expertise to the league.
• During a match, a maximum of 4 foreigners will be allowed in the playing eleven of a men's team.
• Maximum of five foreigners will be allowed to feature in the playing eleven of a women's team.